Help for Clients

Assisting You

Concerns or complaints can come from any source. They should involve the actions of an agency, facility, or program (view definitions) and can be client-specific or a system-wide concern. Even though the Office of Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities (OMHDD) can accept concerns from anyone, the client is the person receiving services. Matters given priority are:

Matters affecting the health, safety, or welfare of clients

Laws or rules, their interpretation, and their effect on services to clients

Policies and practices that diminish client dignity or independence

A disregard or restriction of client rights or rights of wards or protected persons

Situations of abuse or neglect

The deaths and serious injuries of clients

The quality of services provided

The lack of services provided

Actions We May Take

The OMHDD tries to resolve concerns or complaints in a way that improves the quality of care clients receive. Possible actions by the OMHDD include:

Mediating or advocating on behalf of a client

Consulting with providers about policies, practices, and procedures

Gathering and analyzing information

Conducting investigations

Reviewing deaths and serious injuries

Examining records

Making site visits

Making recommendations, issuing reports, and monitoring results

Issuing public reports

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Office of Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities

121 7th Place East
Suite 420 Metro Square Building
St. Paul, Minnesota 55101-2117